I have been experimenting with ways to create an image, looking at identity and portraiture. Textiles has been something I have had a particular interest in for a long time. I started creating a series of portraits in the medium of stitch. Using a medium weight calico and black stitch, I created simple line drawing portraits, the subjects are not people I know and they often feature older people. The calico adds to the almost sketchy feel as it is an off white colour giving a less than pristine feel. The stitch crumples the material giving more character to the portrait. The eyes are drawn upward through the simple portrait focusing on the wild hair at the top of the piece. The informal pose has a slight sketchy feel which gives a sense of the character of the woman and the loose threads give and an unkempt appearance, she looks like she’s been outside exposed to the elements. The portrait is not whole and the chin is unfinished, the woman is not given a back story the viewer knows can draw nothing from this adding to the question of the woman’s identity.
After the exhibitions a symposium was held, where each group was expected to prepare a presentation to show the other groups to share their experiences, intentions and resolutions involved in creating your group shows. The symposium was attended by Sophia Crilly, a curator from Manchester, who offered us an outside perspective and critique of our exhibitions. By presenting our outcomes in a SWOT diagram (see below) we could show easily our strengths, weaknesses and how we would improve if we did an exhibition again. This gave us an easy way of critiquing ourselves and gave us a strong idea of how to improve. for some of us this was our first group exhibition that we had to curate ourselves.
exhibiting and curating an exhibition has given me confidence for future shows and a better understanding of what work and doesn't work in an exhibition environment. |
AuthorHannah Watson is currently a student at Sheffield Hallam University, studying towards a BA in Creative Art Practice Archives
May 2015
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